 The Elmer: “Follow me – do what I do !” |
Our “Elmer” list The following table may be referenced to help you find assistance in an area of the ham radio hobby. The names listed may be willing to spend some time with you, however, be considerate in asking for too much time; be willing to work around their schedules. |
Technical Help
| Subject Area | Name(s) |
Antennas | |
Beams/towers | |
Electronic Theory | Mel, NE9A |
Using computer in ham shack | |
RTTY/Digital | |
VHF/UHF DX weak signal operation | Al, N9ZD |
TVI/RFI | Al, N9ZD |
| POTA (Parks On The Air) | Jim, W9JPR |
.
Operating help/tips
|
Subject Area
|
Name(s)
|
|
Contesting
|
Don, K9KNZ
|
|
QSL (send and receiving)
|
|
|
QSL buro
|
|
|
Working DX
|
|
|
CW procedures
|
Don, K9KNZ
|
|
Origin of the term “Elmer”
|
|
The term “Elmer“–meaning someone who provides personal guidance and assistance to would-be hams–first appeared in QST in a March 1971 “How’s DX” column by Rod Newkirk, W9BRD (now also VA3ZBB). Newkirk called them “the unsung fathers of Amateur Radio.” While he probably was not trying to coin a term at the time, here’s how Newkirk introduced “Elmer” in his column and, as it turned out, to the rest of the Amateur Radio world: “Too frequently one hears a sad story in this little nutshell: ‘Oh, I almost got a ticket, too, but Elmer, W9XYZ, moved away and I kind of lost interest.'” Newkirk went on to say, “We need those Elmers. All the Elmers, including the ham who took the most time and trouble to give you a push toward your license, are the birds who keep this great game young and fresh.” –Rick Lindquist, N1RL |